The Colorado House approved Senate Bill 183 on third reading, requiring the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to cover abortion care services with state funds for Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus enrollees and to build coverage into some public employee plans.

Supporters said the bill implements Amendment 79 by making access meaningful; opponents said it effectively forces taxpayers to fund abortions and questioned the fiscal estimates. After extended debate the bill passed 40-21 with four excused.

Representative Brooks, who summarized the bill on the floor, said: "This bill will require what we refer to as HCPCF, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, to cover abortion care services for Medicaid and Child Health Plan Plus Grama participants using state funds, and for public employees' insurance plans to cover abortion care services for plan numbers. ... appropriating roughly $3,000,000 from the general fund to the department of healthcare policy and financing, specifically for abortion care services." Representative Brooks's synopsis noted the appropriation language in the bill's fiscal material.

Opponents repeatedly framed their objections in fiscal and moral terms. Representative Johnson said he "rise[s] in strong opposition" and argued the bill was coercive in how it would use state funds; Representative Bradley and others said the fiscal note relied on thin studies and warned the state's Medicaid program and general fund could be affected. Representative Bradley argued the fiscal note used an implausible Louisiana-based study and criticized the assumption that state funding would save the state money by counting averted births.

Several members said Amendment 79, which enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution, did not require ongoing appropriations. Representative Richardson said the amendment "does not require the actions that are contemplated in this bill" and described the spending in the bill as an elective action that the legislature need not take. Members across the aisle responded that a right that is not accessible is not a full right; Representative Froelich urged support, saying access must be implemented across coverage types.

The bill's fiscal note and supporters' floor statements give differing estimates of net fiscal impact. Floor discussion quoted Department of Health Care Policy and Financing model results showing a net decrease to the department in early years ($286,000 in FY2025-26, $573,000 in FY2026-27) driven by increased costs for abortion services offset by decreased costs from averted births; other members cited higher estimated service costs (figures discussed on the floor included $5.9 million and longer-term appropriations).

Outcome and next steps: The House adopted Senate Bill 183 on third reading and final passage (vote: 40 yes, 21 no, 4 excused). Supporters said the bill implements the constitutional right; opponents said the question of taxpayer funding should be reconsidered by voters or handled via future appropriations. Implementation will depend on actions by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and any required appropriations or budgeting actions.

Votes at a glance: Senate Bill 183 — adopted, 40-21 (4 excused).